1990 Chevy S-10 complete system failure from turning on any

1990 CHEVROLET S-10
210,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 4WD • MANUAL
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RUUFE
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Here's one I've been having a bit of fun with of late:
The truck runs and starts fine. Idle is good, and to the casual looker the only problem, aside from rust, is a valve seal leak. However,
I have a serious electrical issue that kills all power to everything in the truck: this includes the coil, it wont even push start, and ignition. It has progressed rapidly from a small spike whenever I hit the breaks and expanded into the marker lights and turn signals, and thus the emergency flashers, finally to the headlights. at this point turning on any exterior lighting will kill the vehicle. let it 'cool', or sit for a bit, and its fine again. I've already removed an after market security system: there was no effect to the problem. She's been through hell and I'd find it a real shame to loose her over something as dumb as this.

anyone got a hint?
Jun 5, 2008 at 3:46 PM
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RUUFE
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a worn through cable on the main power lead to the trailer wiring harness combined with a fuse that had been replaced by a breaker by the previous owner resulted in a repeating sort that occurred until it boiled off enough of the battery that it couldn't maintain voltage without serious aid from the alternator. the additional amperage required to run the lights was too much for the alternator to keep up and the system failed: overheating the two main fusable links and shutting down the truck
Jun 22, 2008 at 5:03 PM